DATE=  11/11/97

TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT

NUMBER=5-38052

TITLE=INTERNET TERRORISM 

BYLINE=STEVE NORMAN

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT: 



INTRO:  THE U-S GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING RECOMMENDATIONS FROM A 

PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION THAT EXAMINED THREATS TO CRITICAL 

NATIONAL SYSTEMS, SUCH AS PUBLIC UTILITIES, WHICH KEEP THE 

COUNTRY OPERATING.  STEVE NORMAN REPORTS THE COMMISSION LOOKED 

INTO THREATS NOT ONLY FROM TERRORISTS WITH BOMBS, BUT FROM 

ATTACKS ORIGINATING ON THE WORLDWIDE COMPUTER NETWORK, THE 

INTERNET.  



TEXT:  A FEW WEEKS AGO, 126-THOUSAND HOMES IN THE U-S CITY OF SAN

FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA LOST ELECTRICITY BECAUSE OF A MASSIVE POWER

OUTAGE WHICH HAPPENED AT ONE OF THE BUSIEST HOURS OF THE DAY, AS 

PEOPLE PREPARED TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES FOR WORK AND SCHOOL.  

GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATORS ARE LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF 

SABOTAGE AT A SAN FRANCISCO FACILITY WHICH PRODUCES ELECTRICAL 

POWER.



WAS WHAT HAPPENED IN SAN FRANCISCO AN OMINOUS FORERUNNER OF 

THINGS TO COME?



IMAGINE NO TELEPHONE, RADIO, OR TELEVISION SERVICE BECAUSE 

SOMEONE USED COMPUTERS TO SHUT DOWN TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS.  

AT THE SAME TIME SUBWAYS AND TRAINS ARE STOPPED IN THEIR TRACKS 

BECAUSE A SABOTEUR SHUT DOWN TRANSIT SYSTEMS BY ACCESSING THEIR 

COMPUTER SYSTEMS THROUGH THE INTERNET, AND MONEY IS FROZEN IN 

BANKS BECAUSE SOMEONE INFILTRATED THE GIANT COMPUTERS WHICH 

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS USE TO KEEP TRACK OF FUNDS. 



 DEFENSE DEPARTMENT ANALYST JOHN HAMRE SAYS THESE TYPES OF 

TERRORIST ACTIVITIES ARE NOT FANTASIES, THEY ARE SCENARIOS FOR 

WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS PREPARING.



                      // HAMRE ACTUALITY //



         WE ARE FACING THE PROSPECT OF AN ELECTRONIC PEARL HARBOR

         (DISASTER).



                       // END ACTUALITY //



MR. HAMRE SAYS THE U-S GOVERNMENT IS NOT WAITING FOR SUCH 

MAN-MADE DISASTERS TO HAPPEN.  A TASK FORCE OF 11 AGENCIES IS IN 

THE PROCESS OF ASSESSING VULNERABILITY AND COMING UP WITH WAYS OF

COUNTERACTING INTERNET TERRORISM.



IN RECENT MONTHS, THE U-S MILITARY HAS CONDUCTED SECRET TRAINING 

EXERCISES IN WHICH VILLAINS WHO TARGETED COMPUTER DATA AND 

TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS WERE SOUGHT AND ARRESTED.



UNDERSECRETARY OF TRADE RAYMOND KELLY SAYS THIS IS NOT ALL THE 

GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED ABOUT.  A PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION HAS 

IDENTIFIED POWER SYSTEMS, WATER SUPPLIES, AND GAS AND OIL 

DISTRIBUTION OPERATIONS FOR ADDED PROTECTION.



                      // KELLY ACTUALITY //



         THE AVERAGE AMERICAN CAN BE CONCERNED BECAUSE VIRTUALLY 

         EVERY ASPECT OF THEIR DAILY LIVES IS NOW INVOLVED IN 

         INFRASTRUCTURE (PUBLIC SYSTEMS) AND INCREASINGLY, THE 

         CYBER-INFRASTRUCTURE (COMPUTER NETWORK) INFORMATION.



                       // END ACTUALITY //



FOR THOSE WHO QUESTION THE NEED TO ANTICIPATE TERRORIST ACTS, 

INCLUDING THOSE THROUGH THE INTERNET AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL 

SYSTEMS, MR. KELLY REMINDS THEM OF THE BOMBINGS AT THE FEDERAL 

BUILDING IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND THE WORLD TRADE CENTER IN NEW YORK.

 (SIGNED)



NEB/SRN/RAE



11-Nov-97 2:00 PM EST (1900 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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